A room-temperature ultrasonic hydrogen sensor based on a sensitive layer of reduced graphene oxide.

It is challenging to increase the sensitivity of a hydrogen sensor operating at room temperature due to weak sorption and tiny mass of hydrogen. In this work, an ultrasonic sensor is presented for detecting hydrogen, which is composed of a 128° YX-LiNbO3 substrate and a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sensitive layer with a platinum catalyzer. By optimizing the depositing parameters of RGO and platinum, a considerably high sensitivity is achieved at room temperature. A frequency shift of 308.9 kHz is obtained in 100 ppm hydrogen mixed with argon, and a frequency shift of 24.4 kHz is obtained in 1000 ppm hydrogen mixed in synthetic air. It is demonstrated that in addition to strong sorption of the sensitive layer, the coaction of mass load and conductivity variation is key to high sensitivity of the sensor. By establishing the original conductivity of the sensitive layer within the "conductivity window" for enhancing electrical response, we improve the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor, which is available for detecting hydrogen with an extremely low concentration of 5 ppm.

Differential effects of MTSS1 on invasion and proliferation in subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for >80% of all cases of lung cancer and can be divided into lung adenocarcinoma (LAC), large-cell carcinoma (LCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Accumulating evidence suggests that MTSS1, which is a newly discovered protein associated with tumor progression and metastasis, may have differential roles in cancer malignancy. As it has been demonstrated that MTSS1 is overexpressed in NSCLC and may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with SCC, the present study explored the differential roles of MTSS1 in the invasion and proliferation of different subtypes of NSCLC. Stable overexpression and knockdown of MTSS1 was performed in human NSCLC H920 (LAC), H1581 (LCC) and SW900 cell lines (SCC), and western blot, cell invasion, proliferation and FAK activity analyses were used to investigate the effects. Overexpression of MTSS1 enhanced the invasion and proliferation abilities of H920 and H1581 cells, and these effects were abolished by treatment with selective FAK inhibitor 14, which did not affect the expression of MTSS1. Notably, overexpression of MTSS1 inhibited invasion and proliferation in SW900 cells, and this effect was enhanced by the selective FAK inhibitor. Knockdown of MTSS1 decreased the invasion and proliferation abilities of H920 and H1581 cells, whereas knockdown increased invasion and proliferation in SW900 cells. Furthermore, while overexpression of MTSS1 induced FAK phosphorylation and activity in H920 and H1581 cells, MTSS1 overexpression inhibited FAK phosphorylation/activity in SW900 cells. Knockdown of MTSS1 decreased FAK phosphorylation/activity in H920 and H1581 cells, whereas knockdown increased these processes in SW900 cells. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to demonstrate that MTSS1 has differential roles in various subtypes of NSCLC, acting via a FAK-dependent mechanism. The results indicated that MTSS1 may enhance invasion and proliferation in LAC and LCC cells, whereas MTS11 inhibits these processes in SCC cells. These findings provide novel insight into the functional role of MTSS1 in cancer and may help elucidate therapeutic strategies for the treatment of various types of cancer.

Plasma-induced, nitrogen-doped graphene-based aerogels for high-performance supercapacitors.

Commonly used energy storage devices include stacked layers of active materials on two-dimensional sheets, and the limited specific surface area restricts the further development of energy storage. Three-dimensional (3D) structures with high specific surface areas would improve device performance. Herein, we present a novel procedure to fabricate macroscopic, high-quality, nitrogen-doped, 3D graphene/nanoparticle aerogels. The procedure includes vacuum filtration, freeze-drying, and plasma treatment, which can be further expanded for large-scale production of nitrogen-doped, graphene-based aerogels. The behavior of the supercapacitor is investigated using a typical nitrogen-doped graphene/Fe3O4 nanoparticle 3D structure (NG/Fe3O4). Compared with 3D graphene/Fe3O4 structures prepared by the traditional hydrothermal method, the NG/Fe3O4 supercapacitor prepared by the present method has a 153% improvement in specific capacitance, and there is no obvious decrease in specific capacitance after 1000 cycles. The present work provides a new and facile method to produce large-scale, 3D, graphene-based materials with high specific capacitance for energy storage.

Alisertib, an Aurora kinase A inhibitor, induces apoptosis and autophagy but inhibits epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Ovarian cancer is a leading killer of women, and no cure for advanced ovarian cancer is available. Alisertib (ALS), a selective Aurora kinase A (AURKA) inhibitor, has shown potent anticancer effects, and is under clinical investigation for the treatment of advanced solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. However, the role of ALS in the treatment of ovarian cancer remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of ALS on cell growth, apoptosis, autophagy, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the underlying mechanisms in human epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR4 cells. Our docking study showed that ALS, MLN8054, and VX-680 preferentially bound to AURKA over AURKB via hydrogen bond formation, charge interaction, and π-π stacking. ALS had potent growth-inhibitory, proapoptotic, proautophagic, and EMT-inhibitory effects on SKOV3 and OVCAR4 cells. ALS arrested SKOV3 and OVCAR4 cells in G2/M phase and induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in both SKOV3 and OVCAR4 cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. ALS suppressed phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways but activated 5'-AMP-dependent kinase, as indicated by their altered phosphorylation, contributing to the proautophagic activity of ALS. Modulation of autophagy altered basal and ALS-induced apoptosis in SKOV3 and OVCAR4 cells. Further, ALS suppressed the EMT-like phenotype in both cell lines by restoring the balance between E-cadherin and N-cadherin. ALS downregulated sirtuin 1 and pre-B cell colony enhancing factor (PBEF/visfatin) expression levels and inhibited phosphorylation of AURKA in both cell lines. These findings indicate that ALS blocks the cell cycle by G2/M phase arrest and promotes cellular apoptosis and autophagy, but inhibits EMT via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mTOR-mediated and sirtuin 1-mediated pathways in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Further studies are warranted to validate the efficacy and safety of ALS in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Octamer-binding protein 4 affects the cell biology and phenotypic transition of lung cancer cells involving ß-catenin/E-cadherin complex degradation.

Clinical studies have reported evidence for the involvement of octamer­binding protein 4 (Oct4) in the tumorigenicity and progression of lung cancer; however, the role of Oct4 in lung cancer cell biology in vitro and its mechanism of action remain to be elucidated. Mortality among lung cancer patients is more frequently due to metastasis rather than their primary tumors. Epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a prominent biological event for the induction of epithelial cancer metastasis. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Oct4 had the capacity to induce lung cancer cell metastasis via the promoting the EMT in vitro. Moreover, the effect of Oct4 on the ß­catenin/E­cadherin complex, associated with EMT, was examined using immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays as well as western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that Oct4 enhanced cell invasion and adhesion accompanied by the downregulation of epithelial marker cytokeratin, and upregulation of the mesenchymal markers vimentin and N­cadherin. Furthermore, Oct4 induced EMT of lung cancer cells by promoting ß­catenin/E­cadherin complex degradation and regulating nuclear localization of ß­catenin. In conclusion, the present study indicated that Oct4 affected the cell biology of lung cancer cells in vitro through promoting lung cancer cell metastasis via EMT; in addition, the results suggested that the association and degradation of the ß­catenin/E­cadherin complex was regulated by Oct4 during the process of EMT.

MicroRNA-145 inhibits lung cancer cell metastasis.

Previous studies have identified a variety of microRNAs (miRNAs) that have important roles in cancer progression, particularly in tumor invasion and metastasis. Downregulation of miR­145 was reported to occur in various types of human cancer; however, the role of miR­145 in lung cancer metastasis and its potential mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of miR­145 on metastasis and epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT) in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. In addition, the underlying mechanisms by which miR­145 regulates EMT were examined. The miR­145 mimic was transfected into A549 cells; cell invasion and adhesion assays were then performed in order to investigate cell metastasis, and western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of EMT markers. In order to further examine the underlying mechanisms by which miR­145 regulates EMT, a luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine whether miR­145 targeted Oct4. In addition, the expression of Wnt3a and ß­catenin in A549 cells was measured following transfection with small hairpin RNA­Oct4. To the best of our knowledge, the results of the present study demonstrated for the first time, that miR­145 inhibited lung cancer cell metastasis and EMT via targeting the Oct4 mediated Wnt/ß­catenin signaling pathway.

Analysis of the genetic effects of prolactin gene polymorphisms on chicken egg production.

Chicken prolactin (PRL) is a physiological candidate gene for egg production. Variations of T8052C and G8113C in exon 5 of PRL gene may associate with chicken egg production. The objective of the study was to investigate the association of these two single nucleotide polymorphisms in PRL gene with egg production of Recessive White chickens and Qingyuan Partridge chickens. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) method. The T8052C and G8113C of PRL were significantly associated with age at first egg (AFE) and total egg number at 300 days of age (EN 300). A significant association was also found between T8052C-G8113C haplotypes and AFE as well as EN300, the H2H3 was the most advantageous diplotype for egg production. We putatively drew the conclusion that these two SNPs in PRL gene as well as their haplotypes could be used as the potential molecular markers for egg production traits in chicken.

Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence study of two digoxin formulations after single-dose administration in healthy Chinese male volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability/bioequivalence of two formulations of digoxin (CAS 20830-75-5) were assessed in this paper. The study was conducted in 20 healthy Chinese male volunteers according to an open, randomized, single-blind, 2-way crossover study design with a wash-out phase of 14 days. Blood samples for pharmacokinetic profiling were taken up to 72 h post-dose and digoxin plasma concentrations were determined by a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) method. Based on the plasma concentration-time data of each individual during two periods, pharmacokinetic parameters, Cmax, AUC0-tau, AUC0-infinity and t1/2, were calculated by applying noncompartmental analysis. Pharmacokinetic data for test and reference formulations were analyzed statistically to evaluate bioequivalence of the two formulations. After oral administration, the values of Cmax Tmax, t1/2, AUC0-tau, AUC0-infinity for test and reference formulations were 2.61 +/- 0.98 and 2.68 +/- 1.09 ng/ mL, 1.0 +/- 0.4 and 1.0 +/- 0.4 h, 27.94 +/- 3.14 and 27.56 +/- 3.86 h, 28.57 +/- 4.99 and 28.77 +/- 6.53 ng x h/mL, 33.44 +/- 4.85 and 33.63 +/- 7.57 ng x h/mL, respectively. Both primary target parameters, AUC0-infinity and AUC0-tau, were tested parametrically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Relative bioavailabilities were 102.5 +/- 19.2% for AUC0-infinity, 102.0 +/- 19.3% for AUC0-tau. Bioequivalence between test and reference formulations was demonstrated for both parameters, AUC0-infinity and AUC0-tau. The 90% confidence intervals of the T/R-ratios of logarithmically transformed data were in the generally accepted range of 80%-125%, which means that the test formulation is bioequivalent to the reference formulation of digoxin.

[Clinical observation on injection of small dose of morphine into Neiguan (PC 6) for treatment of chest pain in the patient with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into an effective injection way of Morphine for treatment of chest pain of acute cardiac infarction. METHODS: Ninety cases of myocardial infarction were randomly divided into 3 groups, an acupoint-injection group, an intravenous injection group and a hypodermic injection group, 30 cases in each group. The acupoint-injection group were treated with injection of 2 mg Morphine into bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) respectively, and the intravenous injection group with intravenous injection of 5 mg Morphine and the hypodermic injection group with hypodermic injection of 5 mg Morphine, and other treatments were same in the 3 groups. The analgesic effects were assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) 5, 10, 30, 60 and 180 minutes after treatment and the complications were observed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the 3 groups before treatment in the VAS score (P > 0.05). The analgesic effect in the acupoint-injection group was better than those in other two groups 5 min, 30 min and 180 min after treatment (all P < 0.01). The incidence rate of nausea and vomiting of 0.3% in the acupoint-injection group was significantly lower than 40.0% in the intravenous injection group and 20.0% in the hy podermic injection group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Injection of small dose of Morphine into Neiguan (PC 6) has a definite therapeutic effect on chest pain of acute myocardial infarction with earlier analgesic effect, smaller dose of Morphine, longer analgesic duration and less complications.

[Correlation between adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) gene polymorphism and inosine monophosphate acid (IMP) content in domestic fowl and genetic relationship between red jungle fowl and domestic fowl].

This study investigates single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the adenylosuccinate lyase(ADSL) gene in variety chicken breeds, including Recessive White chickens, Silkies chickens, Baier chickens, Tibetan chickens and two red jungle fowls. Primers for exon 2 in ADSL gene were designed based on the chicken genomic sequence and a SNP(C/T at 3484) was detected by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. Three genotypes within all breeds were found and least square analysis showed that TT genotype birds had a significant higher inosine monophosphate acid (IMP) content than TC (P < 0.01) and CC (P < 0.05) genotype birds, TC genotype birds had a little higher IMP content than CC genotype birds, but the difference was not significant. We proposed this SNP site correlated with IMP content in chickens. A neighbour-joining dendrogram was constructed based on the Nei's genentic distance. The genetic relationship between Chinese red jungle fowl and Tibetan chickens was the nearest, whereas Baier chickens were more closer to Silkies chickens. The Chinese red jungle fowls were relatively closer to the domestic fowls, whereas Thailand red jungle fowls were relatively diverging to the Chinese native breeds. These results supported the theory concerning the independent origins of Chinese native fowl breeds.

[Experimental study on pharmacodynamical of Oxalis griffithii, a national medicine in Guizhou].

OBJECTIVE: To study the on effects of anti-bacteria, anti-inflammatory and pyretolysis of Oxalis griffithii, it is possible safety. METHOD: The mice model was established by xylene (auricle smear method) and carrageenin (injection under the aponeuroses) respectively, rat febrile model was builded by 2,4-dintrophenol injection, and observe the effects of anti-bacteria in vitro that contracted by Staph aureus, Escherichia, Shigella, Pseudomonas, Aeruginosa. The mice model of experiment study on urgent poison effects (injection under the aponeuroses). RESULT: It was found that the mouse ear edema induced by xylene, the increased vascular permeability caused by xylene were all significantly suppressed by Oxalis griffithii. At the same time, it could depressed the rat fervescence by 2,4-dinitrophenol. In addition, it has effect on fighting against Escherichia coli in cavum abdominis of mice. Oxalis griffithii hasn't canker affect. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that Oxalis griffithii had the effects of antinflammatory, pyretolysis, and safety.

[Analysis of genetic relationship among Chinese native chicken breeds using microsatellites marker].

The allele frequencies, heterozygosity (H), mean heterozygosity, polymorphism information content (PIC) and genetic relationships were studied in Luyuan chicken, Gushi chicken, Tibetan chicken, Baier chicken, Xianju chicken, Chahua chicken, Dagu chicken,Beijing Fatty chicken, Langshan chicken, Henan Game chicken,Taihe Silkies chicken and Xiaoshan chicken using seven microsatellite DNA markers. The results showed that there were differences among allele fequencies of seven microsatellite loci in 12 Chinese native chicken breeds. Among the 12 Chinese native chicken breeds, mean heterozygosity of Luyuan chicken was the highest (0.5929), and that of Chahua chicken was the lowest (0.3514). There were similar results in PIC. By fuzzy cluster analysis was found that the genetic relationship between Taihe Silkies chicken and Henan Game chicken was the nearest, and that between Gushi chicken and the other chicken breeds was the most distant. The 12 Chinese native chicken breeds were divided into three group by fuzzy cluster analysis. The first group included Taihe Silkies chicken, Henan Game chicken, Langshan chicken, Xiaoshan chicken, Dagu chicken, Beijing Fatty chicken and Luyuan chicken, the second group included Chahua chicken, Tibetan chicken, Xianju chicken and Baier chicken, and the third group included Gushi chicken.

[Karyotypes and G-banding patterns of quail].

Karyotype analysis was carried out on quails using the peripheral lymphocyte culture techniques,and G-banding patterns were obtained with trypsin and Giemsa. The results showed that the quail had a diploid number of 78, with 10 pairs of macrochromosomes including the sex-chromosomes and 29 pairs of microchromosomes. NO.1 chromosome was submetacentric, NO.2 and Z chromosome were metacentric,and the others were telocentric, which was slightly different from the results of others. Additionally,analysis of G-banding patterns for macrochromosomes indicated that they were divided into 27 zones and 134 bands.

[Studies on taihe silkies' karyotype and band pattern].

This study made the chromosome slides of Taihe Silkies by the peripheral blood lymphocyte culture-drying method,and analyzed Taihe Silkies karyotype and band pattern. The results are as follow: The diploid chromosome number of Taihe Silkies was 2n=78,the basic number of chromosome arms was AF=90 and the sex chromosome type was ZZ(male symbol)/ZW(female symbol). According to the measured relative length,arm ratio and centromeric index,the first 10 pairs of macro-chromosomes are described as follows:No.1 ,9 and Z,W chromosomes were metacentrics,No.2,4,7 were submetacentrics,and No.3,6,8,10 were telocentrics. Studies on Taihe Silkies' G-band showed that the first 10 pairs of macro-chromosomes can be divided into 29 zones and 190 bands. Being treated by C-banding technique,a totally dark-stained and easily indentified W-chromosome always showed up in the female metaphase configurations. Ag-NORs were located in the short arms' telomere of No.1,2 euchromosomes and Z sexchromosome,the Ag-NORs number varied from 1-6. -NORs.

[Studies of chromosome Ag-NORs of Xianju chickens and the relation with the productive performance].

By using the method of culturing peripheral blood, Ag-NORs patterns of Xianju chickens were investigated. The results are as follows:Xianju chickens' Ag-NORs were located in 1p,3p,4p,Zp and 2q. The mean value per cell was 3.26 and the mode was 3. The size, the number and distribution between different individuals or of the same individual were polymorphic,and associations of Ag-NORs were found. Performances between two groups with different Ag-NOR frequency were not significantly different(P>0.05) except shank length in Xianju cocks.